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Programs and Initiatives

NSRD operates four interconnected research programs. Each program oversees a portion of NSRD's research portfolio, managing research projects and ensuring that the division's publications all uphold RAND's standards for quality research.

In addition to its research programs, NSRD organizes special initiatives focused on topics of pressing importance for the defense of the U.S. and its allies.

Research Programs

Acquisition and Technology Policy Program
The Acquisition and Technology Policy Program (ATP) supports U.S. defense decisionmakers in three primary areas: emerging technologies, joint force development, and acquisition and the industrial base. ATP’s greatest value lies at the intersection of these fields—bringing together warfighters who understand how technologies can help them achieve missions, scientists and engineers who understand the emerging technologies, and acquisition professionals who know what it takes to efficiently and cost-effectively transition technologies into operational capabilities.
International Security and Defense Policy Program
The International Security and Defense Policy Program (ISDP) informs U.S. deterrence strategies with enhanced understanding of the security environment, develops defense strategies and operational concepts to increase joint force warfighting readiness and lethality, builds defense forces and postures optimized for strategic priorities, and bolsters security cooperation with U.S. allies and partners across regions to accelerate their leadership and to increase their ability to become force multipliers in meeting U.S. national security objectives.
Navy and Marine Forces Program
The Navy and Marine Forces Program (NMF) generates insights for the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), and allied maritime and amphibious forces on acquisition, sustainment, readiness, personnel, force development, and strategy. NMF employs the latest analytical methods and tools—e.g., cost-effectiveness analyses, risk assessments, technology surveys, industrial base reviews, and personnel and operational evaluations—to examine options to optimize personnel readiness, power projection, and expeditionary operations; meet interoperability demands; strengthen logistics, technology, and industrial capabilities; and control platform and system costs.
Personnel, Readiness, and Health Program
The Personnel, Readiness, and Health Program (PRH) provides analytic support to enhance the lethality and efficiency of the nation’s warfighters in four broad areas: personnel management, readiness, support services and programs, and health services and systems. PRH research has informed national security decisions related to recruiting and retention, strategic and operational readiness, total force mix, training and development, personnel vetting, and quality of life. PRH researchers excel in a wide array of methodologies, such as program evaluation, cost-benefit analysis, simulation and modeling, and requirements analysis.

Special Initiatives